Billows of black smoke were visible. John followed on his boss’s heels, caught the heavy glass door before it had time to swing closed and raced outside.
Levi tossed him a key ring, pointed and bellowed, “Get that other patrol car moved farther away before we lose it, too. I’ll take this one.”
As John slid behind the wheel of one of the black-and-whites, he could see the formerly smoky aura becoming bright, dancing flames. Considering the fuel provided by the loose seat stuffing, it didn’t matter how fast the fire department responded. There was no way any effort was going to save what was left of Sam’s car now.
* * *
One quick call to Children’s Services was all it took for Samantha to receive permission to interview Danny Southerland while he was still in the hospital. According to the social worker, Brenda Connors, Sam’s appointment via CASA had been approved. She was good to go. And just in time, because she wasn’t about to let that poor kid leave the premises until she’d talked to him.
Seven-year-old Danny was asleep when Samantha entered his hospital room. The Serenity Medical Center didn’t have a dedicated pediatric ward because the facility was too small, but there were several rooms that had been decorated with murals featuring cartoonlike animals painted in bright colors. Not only did children enjoy them, those rooms could be good for a laugh if an adult ended up housed there due to overcrowding.
The childish decor usually made Samantha smile but not this time. Seeing Danny looking so forlorn, so alone, lying on those stark-white sheets almost brought tears to her eyes. Her soft-soled shoes made no sound as she crossed to his bedside.
His tousled, reddish hair begged to be smoothed off his forehead. Her touch was gentle and light. His skin felt warm but not overly so.
Danny’s eyelids fluttered as if he were dreaming. He began to whimper.
“Hush,” Samantha crooned. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”
Suddenly, the child gave a start and gasped. His eyes flew open and he began to blink rapidly as if trying to get his bearings, and failing.
Samantha smiled at him. “You’re okay, Danny. It’s just me, Nurse Samantha. Remember me?”
Instead of answering, the boy levered himself onto an elbow and tried to peer past her.
Sam stepped aside. “It’s just you and me, honey. There’s nobody else here. See?”
As he relaxed back onto the pillows she took his wrist and checked his pulse. His little heart was hammering. “I’m sorry if I scared you, Danny. I just wanted to see how you were feeling.”
He stared, wide-eyed and mute.
“You can talk to me if you want to. I’m your friend. Nurses and doctors help people when they’re sick or hurt.” She had thought she was getting through to him until she added, “Just like policemen do.”
As soon as those last words were out of her mouth she rued them. Fresh fright replaced the confusion in the child’s expression. He withdrew, gathered up the top border of the sheet that covered him and once again began staring at the open door.
Samantha let down one of the side railings so she could perch lightly on the edge of the bed and affect a calming posture while she explained. “You don’t need to be afraid of anybody or anything while you’re here with us, Danny. Do you understand?”
Thankfully, she saw a barely discernible nod so she continued. “Good. I want to help you. Besides being a nurse, I sometimes help kids who need me for other reasons.” Pausing, she tenderly touched his hand. This was a perfect opportunity to learn more about his home life without asking directly so she said, “You can think of me as your extra mama.”
Danny blinked rapidly, studying her face as if struggling to believe her. The most telling aspect of his glance was the fact that he’d shown no additional fear when she’d mentioned his mother.
“Where’s my mama?” came out so quietly Sam might have missed it if she hadn’t been watching his lips move.
“She’s not here now, but I’m sure she’ll come to visit you later.” Sam counted to ten silently. “I imagine your daddy will come, too.”
The unspoken proof she’d been seeking appeared instantly. Danny not only cringed at the mention of his father, he pulled the sheet higher and tucked it beneath his chin as if it were a shield.
Samantha gathered herself, as well. It would be counterproductive to let any anger toward his parents show. She knew that. She also knew that if Ben Southerland had been standing there at that moment, she might have given him a piece of her mind. Of course she didn’t dare break protocol that way. An emotional outburst could cost her this CASA assignment and perhaps also disqualify her from others in the future.